Games chiefs defiant over City stadium

Commonwealth Games organisers today defended the decision to hand Manchester City the new £110 million City of Manchester Stadium for free.

Once the Games are over, the 38,000-seater arena, where David Beckham and the Queen took part in a lavish opening ceremony last night, will be converted to a 48,000-capacity football ground which will replace City's traditional home at Maine Road from August 2003.

Although City have agreed to pay rent to the council for the use of the stadium, to make the facilities available to the community and to cover the running costs of the English Institute of Sport facility built next door, the move has attracted criticism.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn expressed disbelief at the deal, which was agreed by funding body Sport England, who put up £77m of lottery money to pay for the new stadium, shortly after he took over from Kate Hoey in 2001.

He said: "Manchester made a bid in 1995 and said they would underwrite the Games. But when it came down to it they couldn't do it without central government support.

"Some of the contracts they put into place, like the one with Manchester City, beg the question whether that is the best use of money for sport?"

But Frances Done, chief executive of Manchester 2002, said today: "The way I look at it is the City of Manchester Stadium is going to be used by the club but they will be making a contribution towards the running costs of the rest of the site.

"That's really important as there's a commitment from Manchester City to the community.

"The ground won't just be open once a fortnight. It will have much more use than that.

"I know the management of the football club and they are totally clear on their commitment. Manchester City have to be part of it and I am very confident about the whole thing.

"I know the local community-were suspicious at first but they have really come around to the idea once they've seen what Manchester City are putting in."

Manchester City council, which is run by City supporting chief executive Howard Bernstein, refused to reveal how much rent the club are paying to the council for the use of the stadium.

It is understood City have so far committed no more than £5m in return for gaining use of the brilliant new arena.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The first point is that this stadium is not just being given to City at all. The club are responsible for the running costs of the stadium and are paying rent to lease it.